What Really Happens To Your Body On The Slopes? How Skiers Can Train For The Cold

Are Skiers Built For The Cold?

When the temperatures drop and ski season arrives, most of us think about snow conditions, gear rentals and which trail we’ll hit first.

But for your body, skiing in the cold is a full-on physiological performance, one that changes dramatically with altitude, wind chill and even the clothes you choose.

To understand what’s actually going on beneath all those layers, we spoke with Dr. Christopher Minson, a professor of human physiology at the University of Oregon who studies how athletes respond to heat, cold and the extreme environments they train in.

According to Dr. Minson, skiing isn’t just a sport; it’s a constant negotiation between the different systems within your body and the conditions outside. Here's what we learned:

1. Skin Sensors Panic First

When you step off that chairlift into biting wind, the first thing you may feel is your skin’s warning system. Cold-sensing nerve channels, called TRP channels, are designed to shout “danger” long before your core temperature actually drops. It’s your body’s early-warning alert, and for many skiers, that feeling alone triggers tension and a spike in stress.

(MORE: Sneaky Signs A Storm Is Rolling In On The Trail)

These sensory nerves can become less reactive with repeated exposure. Spend more time outdoors in fall and early winter, and your body becomes less startled by cold. Skip straight from the couch to a January powder day, and the shock feels sharper.

2. You Sweat More Than You Think

Cold air is extremely dry, so your body has to humidify every breath you take in.

That warm mist you see when exhaling? That’s water leaving your system.

Combine that invisible moisture loss with sweating under insulated clothes, and many skiers finish the day significantly dehydrated without ever feeling thirsty. Dehydration quietly drags down performance, timing, mood and recovery, and it’s far easier to hit that point in the cold than most people think.

3. Your Metabolism Hits The Brakes On The Lift

Racing downhill is a heat-producing machine. Turns, carving and balance recruit big muscle groups that generate warmth and sweat.

But when you sit on a chairlift, everything changes. Your muscles stop producing heat. Your sweat cools. Wind strips warmth away fast. This hot-cold whiplash is one of skiing’s defining physiological challenges, and why it can make a big difference to utilize both warm and cool layers.

(MORE: Breathing Tips For Cold, Dry Conditions)

4. Don't Hide From Cold Exposure — Train With It

Dr. Minson, who trains athletes from the collegiate level all the way up to the Olympics, has found that cold exposure can increase both comfort and tolerance on the slopes. His message: Your body is built to adapt; you just have to give it the chance, safely.

• Let yourself feel slightly chilled on walks or runs
• Wear one fewer layer than you normally would
• Expose yourself to cold regularly, not just on ski trips

Athletes who build resilience in extreme temperatures often perform better year-round. Knowing your body’s signals, and recognizing that sensation doesn’t equal danger, can help build confidence just as much as physiology.

The Bottom Line

Skiing is one of the most physiologically complex winter sports, forcing your body to flip constantly between heat generation and rapid cooling. But with smart layering, hydration, cold adaptation and regular exposure to discomfort in safe doses, skiers can train their bodies to handle the elements and even use them to their advantage.

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.